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Oatland Island workshop to teach urban beekeeping

Photo by Molly Hayden A daylong workshop at Oatland Island Wildlife Centerwill cover the biology of bees and offer an in-depth look at hobbyist beekeeping.

Photo by Molly Hayden Annie Quinting, science educator for Oatland Island Wildlife Center, checks on the bees at the apiary.

The “FUNdamentals of Beekeeping” workshop has been buzzing at Oatland Island Wildlife Center for nearly a decade, and according to Annie Quinting, it just keeps getting better.

“I think people realize how critically important honeybees and other pollinators are to our food supply,” said Quinting, who works as a science educator for the center. “And after the workshop, they’ll have a better understanding and appreciation of where their honey comes from and how it got there.”

Coastal Empire Beekeepers Association sponsors the yearly workshop, which studies honey bees and the art of hobbyist urban beekeeping. Classroom training covers bee biology, installing package bees, colony management and equipment. Additionally, six classes of professional instructor-led topics on the basics of beekeeping are spread throughout the day.

Speakers include Jennifer Berry, apicultural research coordinator and lab manager for the University of Georgia Honey Bee Program; Bill Owens, Georgia master craftsman at Young Harris Institute of Beekeeping and owner of Georgia Bee Removal LLC; March Cornell, Georgia master beekeeper, certified Welsh honey judge and owner of Soapzilla Co.; David E. Arnal, who obtained his master’s in landscape architecture/ecology from Harvard University; and Bobby Colson, a commercial beekeeper and owner of B&G Honey Farm near Statesboro.

A hands-on learning experience complements the class setting portion of the workshop with a visit to the apiary (weather permitting), to survey a bee colony in action.

The workshop is split into two tracks based on interest and knowledge. A beginners’ course covers information for those who wish to learn about the life cycle of bees and beginning a hobbyist hive; a more advanced course is designed to further the experience and information of seasoned beekeepers.

Quinting stressed that with the recent legalization of urban beekeeping in the city of Savannah, (an ordinance was adopted in October) it’s more important than ever for beekeepers to be good stewards of their hobby, and proper education is key.

“Beekeeping is not as simple as it was, say 100 years ago. Beekeepers then did not have to deal with the pests, parasites and pathogens that they have to deal with now. So, ongoing education is a must for any beekeeper, both beginner and experienced,” Quinting said. “Beekeeping is as much an art as it is a science.”

The daylong institute is open to anyone age 12 and older. The price includes lunch and a copy of the book “First Lessons in Beekeeping” by Dr. Keith Delaplane, the head of UGA’s Honey Bee Program.

Classes begin promptly at 9 a.m. and each class runs about 45 minutes. At the end of the day, all instructors gather together for final questions from participants, which Quinting said is key due to the overwhelming amount of information covered throughout the day.

“It is important to clarify any misconceptions or misinformation,” she said. “Even if you don’t become a beekeeper, just the knowledge gained from these classes will shed new light and make you a better steward of the Earth.”